NCCOS and Partners Conduct Field Efforts to Assist in Reef Habitat Classification in Puerto Rico

Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, with support from the Coral Reef Conservation Program, traveled to the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico in July to team up with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER) to collect ground-truthing data to enhance seafloor habitat maps. They documented over 400 different reefs and other critical habitats using GPS and underwater high definition video cameras. The new video data combined with remote sensing imagery will provide NCCOS with information to accurately classify the habitats of the Northeast Grand Reserve and provide critical information for PRDNER managers. For more information, contact Will.Sautter@noaa.gov.